A few hours after being named the Fut5al Planet Best Young Player in the World, 20-year-old rising star Lucio Rocha shared his thoughts in a statement to the Portuguese Football Federation, reflecting on the honor and what it meant to him.
“I’m really happy. It caught me by surprise, but it’s an amazing feeling. I’ve worked hard for this moment, and it’s incredible to receive such recognition. I was resting in my room before training when someone knocked on my door as a joke—I still don’t know who it was. When I woke up, my phone was flooded with messages. I had told some of my teammates that I never imagined everything would happen this fast, with so many good things coming at once, but I worked hard for it. Thanks to the support of my family, friends, and coaches, I achieved this, and it feels fantastic,” he said.
He continued, “I want to contribute to the team and these incredible players. We’re like a family, and I want to prove that they can rely on me, helping them game by game so that we can get even closer to our goal. Whether I’m considered a firebrand or not, if it’s a good thing, I’ll embrace it. It’s a funny thought.”
Looking ahead to the 2024 Futsal World Cup, Rocha commented, “The group stage is going to be tough. We’re up against teams with unique styles, and we’ll need to stay sharp and give our all in every match. Every opponent presents a different challenge. Morocco might be the biggest test, but Tajikistan and Panama are also strong teams.”